Ontario Budget Update
08/05/2013
Greetings from Queen’s Park,
During this important time in the Ontario Legislative Calendar
I am pleased to bring you an update today on the important budget process
that is currently underway. On May 2nd the government of Ontario
introduced the 2013-2014 budget. This budget balances strong investments in
our health care system, schools, and important infrastructure projects
while continuing our commitment to eliminating the provincial deficit.
We have made great investments in the people of Ontario, all
while remaining fiscally responsible. Our deficit was lower than expected,
and we are well on track to eliminate the deficit by 2017-2018. As part of
this update, I would like to share some key items from the budget that will
directly benefit residents of Toronto Centre.
- Reducing
the cost of auto insurance premiums by an average of 15%
- $700
million increase for home and community care over the next three
years, which will provide home care for 46,000 more seniors
- $295
million for Ontario’s Youth Job Strategy, which expands employment
opportunities and training to create 30,000 new jobs
- $30
million for Local Foods Strategy to promote and create demand for
local food sources
- $45
million in the Ontario Music Fund to support Ontario’s artists and
music industry
- Increasing
the maximum annual Ontario Child Benefit (OCB) to $1, 310 per child by
July 2014
- $400
million investment in social assistance, aimed towards removing
barriers to employment and harmful regulations
- $200
per month earning exemption for individuals receiving social
assistance
- $35
billion investment in modern infrastructure to build new transit,
roads, schools, and hospitals.
- $93
million increase in funding for Comprehensive Mental Health and
Addictions Strategy.
- $12.5
million in additional funding for the Provincial Anti-Violence
Intervention Strategy and the Toronto Anti-Violence Intervention
Strategy
- Extending
the accelerated Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) for manufacturing and
processing machinery and equipment, to reduce the tax on manufacturing
by $265 million between 2013-2014 and 2015-2016
- $20
million in additional funding for Legal Aid Ontario
- Increasing
limits of liquid assets for Ontario Works recipients to $2,500 from
$606 for single and $5,000 from $1,043 for couples.
- Removing
the restriction on the value of a primary vehicle for Ontario Works
recipients, making it easier to own a vehicle needed for work
Ontario is stronger when we all have the opportunity to
succeed and contribute. This budget makes concrete advances towards the
fair and prosperous society. For this generation we improve the social
safety net and reduce burdensome regulations, and for the next we eliminate
the deficit and increase Ontario’s competitiveness in the global economy.
Ontario is moving forward, right on schedule.
If you would like further information on any items mentioned
in this news letter or have any other questions or concerns, I would
encourage you to contact my constituency office.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Glen Murray
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